I am calling on the Government of Nepal to SIGN and RATIFY the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (ICPPED) and recognize my case as the first individual identity justice case in the world. This highlights the urgent need for truth, accountability, and justice.

My parents mysteriously disappeared in 1991, and my identity was systematically erased. Today, I am fighting to uncover the truth and urge Nepal to take urgent international action. Despite having suffered thousands of enforced disappearances, Nepal has not yet signed or ratified this critical treaty.

My Story
In 1991, my parents died under suspicious circumstances (suspected murder), leaving my siblings and me vulnerable. We were subjected to enforced disappearance, our identities systematically erased, and our lives forever altered.

Some individuals within law enforcement and other positions of authority may have been involved in actions that contributed to our disappearance. The full truth has never been disclosed.

My sister’s whereabouts remain unknown to this day. Our story echoes that of countless others in Nepal who have faced enforced disappearances without accountability or justice.

This case has been recognized internationally as the first individual identity justice case, underscoring the need for Nepal to take decisive action.

The Critical Gap: Nepal's Complete Inaction on ICPPED
Nepal has not signed and not ratified the ICPPED. This is alarming because:

Over 1,400 people were forcibly disappeared during Nepal's armed conflict (1996–2006)
Countless others, like my family, experienced disappearances before and after the conflict
98 countries worldwide have signed this treaty
76 countries have already ratified it, making it legally binding
Nepal has taken no action — neither signing nor ratifying — despite its documented history of enforced disappearances
The ICPPED, adopted by the United Nations in 2006 and in force since 2010, is crucial for ensuring that individuals like me receive the justice we deserve. It offers a path to accountability, ensuring that victims and their families are recognized and that such horrendous acts are never repeated.

Why ICPPED Signing and Ratification Matters
Enforced disappearance strips individuals of identity, freedom, and dignity, often causing devastating consequences for families.

Signing and ratifying ICPPED would enable Nepal to:

Establish mandatory measures to prevent future enforced disappearances
Hold perpetrators accountable, regardless of position or affiliation
Provide legal recognition and investigation protocols for all disappearance cases
Create pathways for justice and reparations for victims and families
Strengthen domestic laws through an international legal framework
Gain technical assistance and international cooperation on human rights issues
Signal to the world that Nepal values human rights and accountability
 
Identity Erasure: What Makes This Case Globally Significant
My case is unique because identity erasure was used as a deliberate tool of enforced disappearance:

My original identity was deliberately deleted
My family records were destroyed or altered
My connection to my parents was severed
My sister and I were separated and given different identities
I grew up without knowing my real name, my history, or my family
This form of disappearance continues to affect me to this day. I am still searching for my sister, fighting for the truth about my parents, and trying to reclaim my identity.

The Scale of the Crisis in Nepal
Over 1,400 people were forcibly disappeared during Nepal's armed conflict (1996–2006)
Countless others, like my family, experienced disappearances before and after the conflict
Thousands of families remain without answers, justice, or accountability
76 countries worldwide have already ratified the ICPPED
Nepal stands alone — not even having signed this critical treaty
Signing and ratifying ICPPED could initiate crucial systemic change, encouraging thorough investigations and providing a framework for the legal recognition of all disappearance cases.

What Nepal Must Do Now
I urge the Nepalese government to:

SIGN the ICPPED immediately
COMMIT to ratification through Parliament within a concrete timeframe
Stand firmly for the rights of its citizens by adopting binding international protections
Implement practices to prevent future injustices through legal frameworks aligned with international standards
Recognize this first individual identity justice case in the world
Adopt domestic legislation covering all enforced disappearance cases — past, present, and future
By joining the global community in signing and ratifying ICPPED, Nepal would acknowledge the first individual identity justice case in the world and send a strong message that it values human rights, truth, and accountability.

 
Call to Action
Please sign this petition to urge Nepal to:

✍️ SIGN the ICPPED urgently
⚖️ RATIFY the ICPPED through parliamentary action
🔍 Recognize the first individual identity justice case in the world
🛡️ Ensure accountability for perpetrators of enforced disappearances
💙 Protect future generations from this grave human rights violation

Your signature can help:

Pressure Nepal’s government to finally take action
End enforced disappearances in Nepal through binding legal frameworks
Protect the rights and identity of every citizen
Help me find my sister
Bring truth and justice to families still longing for answers
Every signature counts. Your voice matters. Together, we can make Nepal listen.

 
A Personal Promise
For over 30 years, I have lived without:

The truth about what happened to my parents
Contact with my elder sister
My original identity
Justice or accountability
But I have never lost hope.

Hope that one day I will find my sister.
Hope that the truth will emerge.
Hope that Nepal will do what is right.
Hope that no other family will suffer as mine has.

Your signature strengthens that hope. Please sign and share. Together, we can transform my individual tragedy into systemic change.

 
International Recognition
Dr. Edita T. Burgos, President of the International Coalition Against Enforced Disappearances (ICAED), has officially recognized this as “the world’s first individual identity and justice case,” highlighting the urgent global need for accountability and prevention.

Her recognition demonstrates the global importance of Nepal taking decisive action on this critical human rights issue.

 
Share This Petition
Tag Nepal government officials on social media
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Forward to journalists covering South Asia
Post in community groups
Tell three friends who care about justice
Together, we can make Nepal listen.

 
Additional Information
For media inquiries: +977 9842298421
To learn more about enforced disappearances: www.icaed.org
To support families of the disappeared in Nepal: NEFAD (National Network of Families of the Disappeared and Missing Nepal)
 
Hashtags for Social Media
#JusticeForReeta #NepalSignICPPED #NepalRatifyICPPED #EnforcedDisappearance #IdentityJustice #HumanRights #Nepal #ICAED #FindMySister #TruthAndJustice #NeverAgain